Early on, I had a follower tag along having an extra sword or destruction mage came in useful as I couldn't handle all of it by myself. But now, they're just a hassle and get in the way more than being useful.

I've always used a follower on my first 4 characters, but there have been times I wished I hadn't because they get in the way, sometimes.

A few weeks ago, I started another character - permanent level 1 - who cannot level up.

Although I did get the quest to talk to the Jarl about Helgen/Riverwood, I have not done that, and as a result don't have a follower yet (nor the house in Whiterun, which really causes problems storing stuff).

I cannot carry as much, and often use the warmaiden's shop to dump stuff on the floor while I go dungeon crawling. And playing solo forces me to become more aware of my surroundings - always have to be ready to fight, lots of wolves and thiefs out there.

But I like it, only have to worry about myself - which takes me back to my FPS days - and not about trying to keep a follower alive.

I use Illia as a follower since I saved her. I do not wanted to have a follower, but it happens and now I am really happy.

Do you bring a follower from the college? Because in my opinion the Mage followers are Aranea Ienith (The Priestess of Azura) and Ilia (a Mage found in the southern part of the Rift).

I never used a follower on any character in the past, since they were mostly of the thief/assassin-type, but on my new sword-n-board warrior, I greatly appreciate Lydia helping me out during battles. She doesn't really seem to like it though, and I appreciate a little enthousiasm, so I may take either Vilkas or Mjoll the Lioness of a trip, they both seem quite suited and adventurous, and I like both of them.

I forgot to say in the Dev`s defence of the Followers: they are very good at not hitting you. In previous games you had to watch them accidentally zapping you, but they do seem to be real careful to avoid that.

I notice AI is in general very careful not to hit friends. I was in a corridor fighting 3 Thalmor. Two of them were warriors one behind the other and the last at the back was a mage. The mage was real good at not shooting his pal in the back- In fact I was able to use this by manouevering so I was always infront of one of his m8s, stopping him from shooting me.

I love to bring follower, really hate to explore alone here and there. Follower maybe buggy, but how they reacts to the surroundings make me feel not alone. My follower helped me couple times by killed the hidden theat towards my back too, well may or may not the damage is fatal but on RPG aspect, i enjoy that moment.

Forgot to mention, i love sneak attack on lonely enemies, or weaken a group of enemies by sneaky arrows and then dash out with my 2 hander for a head on combat. I really enjoy having a partner and we watch out each others back.

With my first character, I rarely didn't take a follower along, especially for 'carrying my burdens'.
Now that I'm a Khajiit, I usually bring a follower except when finishing the Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guilt quest lines...

my ranger type character brings a sabercat but thats a mod other then that i used to bring lydia aroud to carry extra thing but now i just fly solo because i got tired of them getting in the way.

Lydia or Jordis earlier on. They could carry my burdens and somehow (in a weird way) it felt kinda comforting to have someone else along the journey, even if it was an NPC. These days I'm trying to raise up my abilities, so I go solo.

I'm always using followers... for role play etc... plus i do find they come in handy help when taking on those "extra" difficult places.

All the time. They come in all shapes and sizes, aka I can always find one to fit my playstyle, and they're usually a benefit.

I used to bring a follower.

Then I took an arr... oh nevermind.

I use Lydia, almost all the time. Got a mod to make her essential, 'cause I'd really hate it if she died.

Never liked followers in any previous games, and I always played the lone wolf type. Until now!

I think followers have come a long way in Skyrim and have really grown on me....I find them more help than hinder and enjoy the companionship. I have a handful of favorites - ones that I have found that seem to have the most personality (Marcurio, Mjoll, Erandur, Kharjo and Farkas) and wouldn't mind if they did have just a bit more unique options, lines and backstory.

I'll bring a follower along most of the time, unless running a shady mission of some type, or when I just feel like running around on horseback and collect flowers/insects

Anybody know if the Companions follower

Faendal is handy for the "free" archery lessons, and as a lover of the Ebony mail someone has to die. Other than that though the only follower I like is in the shape of the Sanguine Rose. One who appears when you call and need him, then disappears until next time. That said I have probably still got a good two-thirds of the quests to come across so I may have a change of heart.

I used to bring Lydia with me when I first started playing, but then she took an arrow... er well, now she just "guards" my house in Whiterun. And by "guard", I mean she sits at the table in my bedroom and eats my bread all day long.

I liked having her at my side at first, especially since I set the difficulty up High, but honestly she slows me down too much since she doesn't have a horse and I do. I wish you could upgrade your companions to get a horse. Otherwise, I guess it's back to being a lone Wulf for me.

I had Faendal so I could get my Archery up, never went anywhere with him though. Don't use them anymore though. The amount of times I would try to sneak my way through something and Lydia comes out and gives my position away

I've never seen them do so, except for the scripted scene with Farkas.

I really like having a follower with me. He always helps me out when im in trouble
My first follower was J'Zargo but then he died during some (hard for me) quest. Also it was my falut to save the game in a really stupid place lol. There was no way to save him.
Now I have a new follower. Also a Khajiit. I found him outside the Riften city. I forgot his name. I just got him.

I never used to, since I usually play stealth characters. But mu=y warrior finds it much easier to bring Stenvar along, for larger battles, or dragons.

Followers are practical in dungeons. They often warn you. e.g. Iona: "Get ready. Trouble ahead."
They're also welcome if you're outnumbered. You have to get to know them and then you can often let them handle the melee when you shoot from a distance or the other way around.

Sure, they get in the way often, but some get more in the way then others. Lydia often bothered me so much that I hesitated reloading when she accidentally got killed. But then again... I couldn't carry all her stuff alone. Barbas (dog) is so annoying that you really consider slaying him. He barks and pushes you around more than the other dogs and he always pushes at a bad time, when you want to store a book or talk to someone which makes you accidentally steal something and get all the guards after you...

But what really helps is unrelenting force. It doesn't make them turn on you if you use it and you can move them any time when they got stuck or block your way. I did part of the main quest with my new character just to get that shout.
Onmund is my favourite follower. He seldom gets in the way and uses destruction magic when I handle the axe.

Thats a shame would of been awsome!

:I don't always bring a follower but when I do, it usually dies:

I always do. It gets boring traveling around alone.